BATHURST: The Bathurst Observatory Research Facility will begin work this week on a new telescope to monitor asteroids.

COWRA: He's been bowling them over since he could walk, but now keen cricketer Pete Guthrie will be knocking them for six in a whole new way. Mr Guthrie has just started at the Cowra Guardian as the new sports journalist.

CANOWINDRA: A Canowindra songstress is returning home to begin her next tour. As a part of her 'back to beginnings' tour, Sophie Payten - aka Gordi - will perform at Finns Store this Friday, July 18, at 6.30pm.

BATHURST: Emily Matthews came away with a bronze medal at the conclusion of the Australian Under 16s Basketball titles which wrapped up in Geelong on Saturday.

ORANGE: The Orange Visitor Information Centre’s Life in Orange competition attracted 300 entries as photographers vied to be have their work featured in Orange’s tourism booklet, the Destination Guide.

MUDGEE: It was a day for rugging up in warm coats and hats, but Mudgee Racegoers still made the most of the opportunity to dress up for a day at the races on Sunday.

ORANGE: Orchardists from throughout the region heard a firsthand account of how fruit flies decimated crops, thanks to entomologist Dr Eric Jang of the US Department of Agriculture, who visited the Orange Agricultural Institute on Monday.

BATHURST: Trophy-winning wines from Charles Sturt University and the best in local produce will be the headline acts at the second annual Bathurst Winter Feast.

COWRA: The Blues first grade side went down fighting to CWAFL premiership favourites the Orange Tigers at Mulyan Oval on Saturday.

GRENFELL: A 24-year-old-man man from Grenfell was one of three people injured on the final day of this year's 'Running of the Bulls' festival in Pamplona, Spain.

MUDGEE: NSW Minister for the Environment and Heritage Rob Stokes has described The Drip as “breathtaking” after visiting it for the first time on Friday.

ORANGE: Gaye Stuart-Nairne is beside herself with excitement at the prospect of a 12 kilogram truffle yield this season.

BATHURST: Ian Thorpe’s decision to come out as a gay man has been applauded by Bathurst gay rights advocate Andy Wheeler, who says the former Olympian has paved the way for young gay people to talk comfortably and honestly about who they are.

ORANGE: Keeping boys, particularly teenagers, switched on to learn at school can be a major challenge, according to leading Australian expert on the subject Dr Ian Lillico who visited Orange on Monday to speak with teachers and provide them with strategies to encourage their students.

COWRA: An exciting and innovative project aimed at protecting threatened species in the Young Shire is reaping benefits, recent monitoring results from Cowra-based Mid Lachlan Landcare have shown.

DUBBO: Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson has welcomed the announcement that the NBN is on its way to East Dubbo. The old multiplexer that has prevented Eastridge residents from accessing ADSL broadband will no longer be an issue. Photo: LOUISE DONGES